Social Media Superpowers in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

This article encourages the obstetrician-gynecologists to use social media platforms to share their wealth of clinical expertise and experience with the public in an engaging and empowering way. Social media is a powerful tool that increases communication, education, and support that can be leveraged to increase comprehension of women's health topics and advocate for our patients, both inside and outside the examination room. Included are tips for physicians on how to harness their social media superpower to connect with patients on social media, build a brand, and network in a meaningful and authentic way.

Risk factors predicting the loss of functional independence after obliterative procedures for pelvic organ prolapse.

Introduction And Hypothesis: To determine the risk factors associated with loss of functional independence after obliterative procedures for pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods: The American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was used to collect data on women who underwent obliterative vaginal procedures from 2011 to 2016, using current procedural terminology (CPT) codes for LeFort colpocleisis (57120) and vaginectomy (57110). The criterion for loss of functional independence was a transition from a functionally independent status to a dependent status (discharge to a post-care facility) or death within the 30-day postoperative period.

Pelvic Floor Disorders.

Pelvic floor disorders commonly affect women and may cause distress and difficulty with daily functions and self-image. Urinary incontinence may present as stress incontinence, urgency incontinence, or in some combination (mixed incontinence). Symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when the patient is bothered by the sensation of a herniation of the pelvic organs through the vagina.

Thermosensitive hydrogels deliver bioactive protein to the vaginal wall.

The pathophysiology and natural history of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) are poorly understood. Consequently, our approaches to treatment of POP are limited. Alterations in the extracellular matrix components of pelvic support ligaments and vaginal tissue, including collagen and elastin, have been associated with the development of POP in animals and women.

Predictors of early postoperative voiding dysfunction and other complications following a midurethral sling.

Background: The rates reported for postoperative urinary retention following midurethral sling procedures are highly variable. Determining which patients have a higher likelihood of failing a voiding trial will help with preoperative counseling prior to a midurethral sling.

Objective: The objective of the study was to identify preoperative predictors for failed voiding trial following an isolated midurethral sling.

Patient preferences for uterine preservation and hysterectomy in women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe patient preferences for uterine preservation and hysterectomy in women with pelvic organ prolapse symptoms and to describe predictors of preference for uterine preservation.

Study Design: This multicenter, cross-sectional study evaluated patient preferences for uterine preservation vs hysterectomy in women with prolapse symptoms who were being examined for initial urogynecologic evaluation. Before meeting the physician, the women completed a questionnaire that asked them to indicate their prolapse treatment preference (uterine preservation vs hysterectomy) for scenarios in which the efficacy of treatment varied.

Prolapse-related knowledge and attitudes toward the uterus in women with pelvic organ prolapse symptoms.

Objective: The objective of the study was to describe the basic knowledge about prolapse and attitudes regarding the uterus in women seeking care for prolapse symptoms.

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study of English-speaking women presenting with prolapse symptoms. Patients completed a self-administered questionnaire that included 5 prolapse-related knowledge items and 6 benefit-of-uterus attitude items; higher scores indicated greater knowledge or more positive perception of the uterus.

Lowest colpopexy sacral fixation point alters vaginal axis and cul-de-sac depth.

Objective: To determine the variation in vaginal axis and posterior cul-de-sac depth when the lowest suture used to attach the sacrocolpopexy mesh to the anterior longitudinal ligament is anchored at different levels.

Study Design: At five lumbosacral mesh attachment sites, the anterior vaginal wall axis angle was measured relative to a line between the lowest border of the pubic symphysis and fourth sacral (S4) foramen in 9 unembalmed cadavers. The vertical distance from S4 to the posterior mesh was measured as a surrogate of cul-de-sac depth.

Preventing L5-S1 discitis associated with sacrocolpopexy.

Objective: To further characterize the anatomy of the fifth lumbar to first sacral (L5-S1) disc space and to provide anatomic landmarks that can be used to predict the locations of the disc, sacral promontory, and surrounding structures during sacrocolpopexy.

Methods: The lumbosacral anatomy was examined in 25 female cadavers and 100 computed tomography (CT) studies. Measurements were obtained using the midpoint of the sacral promontory as a reference.

Surgical knot integrity: effect of suture type and caliber, and level of residency training.

Objective: To evaluate if suture type and caliber or level of residency training affects strength and mode of failure of surgical knots.

Design: All residents in an obstetrics and gynecology training program were invited to tie knots on a bench model using 2 calibers (0 and 3-0) of 2 types of surgical suture (polyglactin 910 and polydioxanone). The failure load, mode of failure, and loop lengths of the knots were determined.

Methamphetamine use during pregnancy: maternal and neonatal implications.

Objective: To report the demographic characteristics and clinical morbidity of methamphetamine-exposed pregnancies compared with control patients in a tertiary care, urban, academic medical center.

Methods: A single-site chart review from 2000 to 2006 was conducted. International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision code 648.

In vitro biophysical strain model for understanding mechanisms of osteopathic manipulative treatment.

Context: Normal physiologic movement, pathologic conditions, and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) are believed to produce effects on the shape and proliferation of human fibroblasts. Studies of biophysically strained fibroblasts would be useful in producing a model of the cellular mechanisms underlying OMT.

Objective: To investigate the effects of acyclic in vitro biophysical strain on normal human dermal fibroblasts and observe potential changes in cellular shape and proliferation, as well as potential changes in cellular production of nitric oxide, interleukin (IL) 1beta, and IL-6.